Good Quality, Low Cost Dog Food

Discuss ways to improve the quality of your dog's life and longevity through proper nutrition; a place for all of your questions and answers about feeding your pooch!

Please keep discussions fun, friendly, and helpful at all times. Non-informative posts criticizing a particular brand or another poster’s choice of food are not allowed in this Forum. References to any brand of food as "junk," "garbage," or other harsh names will be removed.

We are on a budget and I need a good food that isn't really expensive. I've been feeding Orijen, but it is WAY too expensive. I can no longer afford to feed it. If I could afford to feed it, I would. What food isn't really expensive, but still good quality?

The best for your money (IMO) is Taste of the Wild. Grain-free, high(er) in protein like Orijen, without the crazy high price tag. I get it for $34 for a 30 lb bag which last my 3 about a month, but I've never seen it for more than $42 for a 30 lb bag. You could also look into Eartborn Holistics Primitive Naturals food, it's grain-free, higher in protein than TOTW (38%) and is actually a few dollars cheaper here than TOTW ($31 for a 30 lb bag) so maybe that's an option. Quincy did really well on it but it does have a LOT of calories per cup so I ended up feeding 3/4 of what I usually fed of any other grain-free food.

If you have access to a Tractor Suppy Co., "4Life" is a decent grain-inclusive food. It's cheaper than the other foods already mentioned, but not as good a quality. I would attempt to fit the other brands into your budget first but if that doesn't work out this might be a consideration.

Be aware that the cheaper the dog food the less digestible it will be and the more they will eat. You will end up spending the same amount of money. Best to keep your pup on a good, high quality food if you can afford it.

We pay $18.99-24.99 for the 15 pound varieties...Our average price per year spent on dog food will be $75 for the ALS (grain inclusive one). I have not noticed a difference in poop production, however Jasper is doing better on Canidae than he was on Wellness. TOTW would cost us $20 more a year to feed and Jasper did not seem to care for the taste.

Anyway, we are please with the price and the results. Plus, no reflux issues!

If you have access to a Costco, I recommend Nature's Domain. It made by Diamond and is grain-free. I think the ingredients are similar to TOTW. A 35 lb bag is $32 for the Salmon Meal and $28 for the Turkey Meal.